A Brief History

Bertrams was founded in a chicken shed in 1968 by the late Elsie Bertram, MBE and her son Kip. From these humble beginnings, Bertrams grew to become the UK’s leading book supplier to retailers large and small, in the UK and overseas.

When the family sold the business in 1999, the Bertram Group was created, Bertrams joining with Cypher (now Bertram Library Services), the largest specialist library supply business in the UK, which provides value-adding services for library authorities, schools and educational institutions.

The company moved to a purpose-built distribution centre on the outskirts of Norwich in May 2004. The 145,000 sq ft floor and mezzanine space has allowed a substantial expansion of the range held in stock.

2005 saw Bertrams set up its distribution division, Bertram Publisher Services, building on the strengths of the existing business to give publishers the unique benefits of a combined wholesale and distribution operation.

2009 saw the sale of Bertrams to Smiths News PLC, whose strong financial and commercial base supports and underpins the future growth of Bertrams business.